A young man with autism has been unfairly denied the supports he needs from a government body, according to Alberta’s provincial ombudsman. Kevin Brezinski, the ombudsman, released a report into how the Persons with Developmental Disabilities program shut out Evan Zenari when he turned 18. He says the rules continue to rely heavily on intelligence tests — an approach criticized by a judge as well as by most medical clinicians. Brezinski says Zenari, now 21, needs counselling and support to find a job and his family needs respite care. He says it’s unusual for his office to release public reports, but he felt the case was important enough to do so. Alberta’s Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services was not able to immediately comment on the report.
Brezinski adds that the eligibility rules for the Persons with Developmental Disabilities program are unfair. His report says the government has committed to reviewing the rules in the fall but has refused to reconsider Zenari’s case.
